Holyground Records was an independent record label formed by Mike Levon and a group of friends in the UK in 1966. Its rock, folk and psych-rock releases have become highly collectable. This podcast series covers the history of Holyground from 1963 until Mike Levon died in 2011.
These are in the form of informal conversations between Shirley Levon, Mike's wife, and Pete Taylor who played and recorded with Mike for many years. Two 'bonus' podcasts are also available.
Recording by Pete Taylor.
Podcasts and notes are copyright Pete Taylor and Holyground Records 2024
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This is an interview with Mike by Andy. It was recorded by Pete for Wakefield Music Collective's website and for a month it was broadcast continuously on a loop.
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2 Mar 2024
Bonus Episode: Brian Calvert
Shortly after recording with Holyground in the 1970s, Brian emigrated to Australia. We asked him to contribute to the podcasts and he recorded his contribution in the form of answers to questions that Pete later edited in.
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2 Mar 2024
The Legacy of Holyground
Following the Bretton concert Chris Coombs, Pete Taylor, Nick Dew and Margaret Duke recorded and played live as Quizzinglass. Mike started to write new lyrics with Pete Howells of 'Blue Epitaph' writing the music. Mike, Chris and Pete continued to work on a new album to be called 'In and Out of Time' which was nearly completed before Mike's untimely death in 2011. Sadly few of the tracks could be rescued.
Tracks played: 'Driving into the Wind' - Quizzinglass
'Barkston Heath' - Pete Howells
'Same Land' - Mike, Chris, Pete, and others
'Best Foot Shoes' - Mike, Chris, Pete, and others
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2 Mar 2024
The Last Goodbye to Bretton Hall
When Bretton Hall finally closed its doors in 2007 it was felt that the past association with students should be celebrated. A concert in Music Block was arranged on the 5th May, the final weekend, with musicians coming across the world to take part in a Holyground concert. A CD and DVD of the event was released.
Tracks played: Kirkgate Blues - Mike Levon, Chris Coombs, Pete Taylor, Nick Dew, Clive Colling
The Shipper - Dave Holland, Dik Cadbury
Ode - Pete Howells, Jim Gordon
Wild Mountain Thyme - Jenny Tarren, Jan Williams and audience.
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2 Mar 2024
New releases
A new control room was built enabling a permanent set-up for the equipment. A retrospective series of CDs were released called 'The Works' including 'Electrotype', Bill Nelson's early recordings. Chris Coombs' 'Up to McGills' CD was released as a singer-songwriter album. 'Joint' was released featuring many musician friends of Holyground over the years.
Tracks played: 'Nothing Rhymes with Lonely' - Chris Coombs
'Heart of the Storm' - Steve Channing
'So' - Mike, Chris, Pete and others
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2 Mar 2024
67 Skies
1999 release was a limited edition with a poster with words and credits. The 2006 release was with a booklet instead of poster. '67 Skies' is nearly 20 minutes long. It reflects personal memories, the past, the present and the future and possibility of change.
Track played: '67 Skies'
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2 Mar 2024
& Strangeness and Charm
Mike, Chris Coombs and Pete Taylor were collaborating on writing new songs, based on ancestry and where you come from and on Time. Mike was investing in new equipment, and using Midi. Other musicians, including classical musicians were involved.
Tracks played: 'The Hiding Places'
'Desperate Manoeuvres'
'Silence on the Wires'
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2 Mar 2024
Holyground revived
The collectability of Holyground records led to many albums being re-released, first as vinyl then as CDs, at first licensed through Magic Mixture, then through Kissing Spell. New music was being recorded with Pete Taylor, Chris Coombs and Steve Channing. Loose Routes CDs were released.
Tracks played: snatch of 'Tears on the Console', 'Save the Big Jam Roll', from Gagalactyca, 'Snowcloud' - Skybird, 'Alice D's Electric Outlaw Band' - Lazy Days
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2 Mar 2024
The Last Days of Cass Yard
Mike was recording Lazy Days, a Leeds-based band and continuing to record Steve Channing. They collaborated for a new album 'Tears on the Console'. Mike moved out of Cass Yard, and joined a group of independent producers at Aim Studio in Doncaster for a short time.
Tracks played: 'Wait for Me' - Lazy Days, 'Tears on the Console', snatch of 'Play it Like a Band', 'Peach of a Love' - Steve Channing and Lazy Days
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2 Mar 2024
Legend of the Kingfisher
'Legend of the Kingfisher' was recorded by Gygafo, a well-known Leeds-based band, memories of recording by band member Eddie Stringer. 'Ode' by Blue Epitaph, was recorded and released, memories of recording it by Pete Howells and Jim Gordon. Mike was experimenting with effects, including a new phaser.
Tracks played: 'Solid Man Song' and 'Waiting for the Rain' - Gygafo
'I Never met You' and 'Diane' - Blue Epitaph
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2 Mar 2024
Jumble Lane
'Jumble Lane' was released, recorded by Bretton students. Bill Nelson with Global Village were recording regularly and 'Northern Dream' was released. Holyground's reputation grew and many bands paid to record. Part of another Holyground album 'Gagalactyca' was recorded.
Tracks played: 'Preserve' and 'Blues for Joanne' from 'Jumble Lane'
Keep Your Feathers Fine - Bill Nelson
Cold, Tired and Hungry - Chris Coombs and Bill Nelson
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2 Mar 2024
Astral Navigations
Mike and Brian Calvert's songs are on the first side of this album with songs by Chris Coombs. The second side is 'Thundermother', an established rock group from Preston. The album came with a booklet and poster designed by Dave Wood.
Tracks played: Fourth Coming - Brian Calvert
Tomorrow Buffalo - Chris Coombs
Someday - Thundermother
Windows of Limited Time/Astral Navigator - Brian Calvert
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2 Mar 2024
Holyground at 5 Cass Yard, Wakefield
Holyground was established at 5 Cass Yard, with a bedroom used as a studio. Brian Calvert, and Chris Coombs were involved as song-writers, and Dave Wood with art work and liaising with bands. Mike was writing lyrics and experimenting with production techniques. A-Austr was released as a concept album.
Tracks played: Grail Search - Chris Coombs
Essex Queen - Brian Calvert
It's Alright, What did you go - jam session
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2 Mar 2024
'No 9 Bread Street', recording at Moodies Bar
A 12 inch album was recorded at Moodies Bar, where many students met at the regular folk club. 'No 9 Bread Street', a mixture of folk songs and original material, was the first record to be released on the Holyground label, which was established in this period.
Tracks played: 'Travelling People' - Kev Slater
'Beautiful Strangers - Jane Westlake
'Stroke Two' - Chris Coombs
'College Girl' - Piers Johnson
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2 Mar 2024
Early recording at Bretton Hall
The background to recordings that Mike Levon made at Bretton Hall. These were mainly folk-based, but also included some original tracks. Three 7 inch vinyl records were produced and one 12 inch.
Tracks played:
'Lowlands' - Jenny Tarren
'Wild Mountain Thyme' - Dave Nuttall and others
'Babe Don't Drag Me down' - Bob Hart
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